Tristan Jurkovich's haven for video game articles, podcasts, and videos

PS3 Review: Lost Via Domus

Lost was one of the greatest TV shows of the past generation. TV Networks are constantly trying to recapture that odd, heartfelt, convoluted charm. For example, there was a video game. Great show, so why not a great video game right? It stars one of the passengers from Oceanic Flight 815 as he tries to remember his past on the island. The stranger, as he will be called because believe it or not his name is a spoiler, will interact with Lost stars like Jack, Sawyer, and Kate as well as objects in order to remember his past. Unfortunately, the plot is thin and doesn’t really go anywhere. To make it clear to Lost fans, the adventures of Nikki and Paulo were better.

Gameplay? Huh, well yeah there’s gameplay…kind of. The stranger will go to and fro on the island, talking to characters, collecting coconuts, solving numerous fuse puzzles, and that’s about it. There’s not much to Lost Via Domus. Each of the seven episodes trigger a moment when the stranger must remember something by taking photos, but the way in which players interact with everything is a confusing mess. The controls are just wonky and a struggle to deal with, actually, everything in this game is a struggle. In fact, being stranded on an island would be better than having to play this game again.

What saves Lost Via Domus? Absolutely nothing. Well that’s not exactly true. While the graphics are beyond dated and the design is overall screwed, it does have a few highlights. For one, exploring the island is a neat concept albeit a fleeting one. Some actors reprise their roles and do an excellent job while doubles fill in the rest adequately. Plus the composer from the show, Michael Giacchino, lends his compositions giving the game an authentic “Lost” feel amidst the mires of mediocrity.

Lost Via Domus does not find its way home (via domus means the way home in Latin, so that was a joke…). Due to an incomprehensible amount of bad design, this game is destined to sit on store shelves. Even for Lost fans, this is a tough sell. The ideas are there, but the game clearly isn’t.

Score: 1/5 Stars

Special Notes: This article was originally published on September 18, 2013 via my Examiner account before the website shut down. Check out the supporting video review on the accompanying YouTube Channel, ReActionExaminer.